CH 27

“He’s late Gia.” Nik said as he placed his things next to the door. “Nikolas, I’ve never seen you look so nervous. Don’t worry, you know it can sometimes take a little while for Seth to get back from the club; he’s just a little late. We have plenty of time to get over to Laura’s. Now will you stop, you’re making me nervous.” Gia said as she sat down on couch. Nikolas fallowed her lead, playing with one of her braids as he smiled at her softly. “I’m sorry I just want everything to go right tonight.” Nikolas said. Gia smiled back at him. “I know Nikolas but we got your mother the perfect gift. It’s so personal.” Gia said. Nikolas sighed. “I hope so. I’m still not sure about it.” Nik said. They both looked up when Seth came in. “Hey sorry I’m late, I had to wait for the other bartender.” Seth said as he came up to the couch. “Oh it’s no problem.” Nik replied. Gia made a face that no one saw. Seth looked over at her. “You look beautiful G.” He said grabbing her by the hand and pulling her up to look at her. She had on a small plum colored spaghetti strap dress and wore a lipstick that matched it perfectly. Her braids were up in a bun that let the ends stick out slightly, one braid hung loose on each side of her face. “Thank you.” Gia said kissing him lightly on the lips. Nikolas looked down, feeling guilty that he had been so caught up in seeing his mom that he hadn’t even noticed how beautiful Gia looked. “So, you ready to go?” Seth asked. Gia nodded her head and took his hand. “Gia wait, can I talk to you for a second?” Nik asked, grabbing her other hand. “Sure.” She said dropping Seth’s hand. “I’ll go put these things in the car.” Seth said, grabbing the bags by the door and walking out. Gia turned around to face Nikolas. “What’s wrong?” She asked as she walked up and took his hand in hers. Nikolas lifted it to his lips and kissed it, holding it to his chest as he looked at her. “You look so gorgeous Gia, I can’t even describe it, but feel it, my heart is beating so fast.” Nik said. His eyes locked with hers. Gia felt tears well up in her eyes.  She smiled slightly. “You don’t have to say that Nikolas. Seth tells me that all the time. It’s ok that you didn’t think to.” Gia said. Nikolas shook his head. “No I wanted to Gia, you really do and I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you that sooner. It’s just this whole day, I’m so nervous that my mother won’t want me there. It’s her birthday and she doesn’t need to be reminded of a horrible time in her life that she would rather forget. I don’t want to make her sad on her birthday, that’s all.” Nik said sadly. Gia reached up and caressed his strong jaw. “She wants to see you Nikolas, I can feel it.” She said softly. Nikolas nodded his head and pulled her in for a heated kiss. “Thank you Gia.” Nik said. Gia smiled at him. “Now come on we’re going to be even later then we already are.” Gia said pulling his hand and walking out the door.

“Hey you guys, come on in.” Lucky said opening the door for them, they all smiled and stepped inside. Nikolas spotted his mom with her back to him and walked up to her. “Mom.” He said softly as he placed his hand on her shoulder. Laura turned around and smiled up at him. “Nikolas! Well this is a surprise.” She said happily. Nikolas smiled and nodded his head shyly. “Yeah Lucky invited me. I hope that’s OK.” Nik said. Tears formed in Laura’s eyes. “Of coarse it is Nikolas, I’ve missed you. Thank you for coming.” She said, pulling him in for a hug. Nikolas welcomed the hug from his mother, feeling relief wash over him. The scene in front of her touched Gia, she smiled as she wrapped her arms around Seth’s torso and hugged him. Seth rubbed her arm and kissed the top of her head. Nikolas pulled back from his embrace with his mom and cleared his throat; he then remembered that he had guests with him, feeling guilty for the second time that day. “Who are your friends Nikolas?” Laura asked. “Hi, I’m Gia Campbell and this is my best friend Seth. He and I moved her from Brooklyn when my mom died three months ago. It’s nice to meet you, I’ve heard a lot about you.” Gia introduced herself. She surprised Laura when walked up and gave her a hug. But she smiled and hugged her back. Nikolas was shocked and a little bit embarrassed by Gia’s actions but he recovered when he saw that his mother seemed to like Gia. “It’s nice to meet you too Gia, thank you for coming to my birthday party, and you too Seth.” Laura said politely when the two pulled back from their hug. They both smiled at her and Laura excused herself to tend to Lulu. Nikolas walked up to where Seth and Gia were standing. “Sorry.” Gia said with a grin on her face. “It’s ok Gia, thank you.” Nik said. “Your mother is beautiful Nikolas, and she seems so nice.” Gia said. Nikolas smiled at her. “Thank you.” He said as he turned around and watched his mother. “Go spend time with her Nikolas, we’ll be fine.” Gia said as she placed her hand on his arm. Nikolas nodded his head and walked into the living room with his mom. “Lets go find some food, I’m starving.” Seth said as he grabbed Gia’s hand. “You’re always starving.” Gia commented. 

“Is she still giving me dirty looks?” Gia whispered in Seth’s ear. He looked over at Elizabeth who was looking at Gia like she wanted to kill her. “Uh yeah, do you want me stick my tongue out at her?” Seth asked. Gia scrunched up her nose. “No I think throwing one of these strawberries at her face would be more affective and maybe a little more mature.” Gia said. Seth plucked the fruit out of her hand and ate it. “You promised you would be good for Nikolas remember?” Seth mumbled. Gia rolled her eyes. “Right well I have to break that promise if she doesn’t stop staring at me.” Gia said. “She’s just jealous.” Seth whispered. “Well duh but jealous or not, she’s going to get her ass kicked if she doesn’t stop giving me looks.” Gia said, she raised her head and glared back at Elizabeth. Liz was socked by the sudden attention and quickly looked the other way. The door opened and Luke walked in. Gia smiled as she ran up to him, jumping into his arms when he held them open to her. “Hey kiddo. It’s just like you to crash a birthday party.” Luke grinned as he put her down. Gia glared at him. “I was invited.” She said softly. Luke smiled as her, and looked into the living room. “If you’ll excuse me I’m going to say happy birthday to my angel. You kids have fun.” Luke said moving past them. Gia walked back over to Seth. “This is kind of boring.” She sighed as she leaned up against him. “You’ll live.” He whispered in her ear.

Nikolas watched nervously as Laura opened her gift. Gia sat next to him and held his hand as she pulled it out of the box. Laura looked up at Nikolas with tears in her eyes. “Nikolas, thank you so much.” She said. She sighed as she looked at the picture of Nikolas when he was about four years old. She had never seen what he looked like at that age. He was adorable. She ran her fingers along the flower print etched in the crystal frame it was in. “I love it.” She whispered as she smiled at him. Nikolas nodded his head shyly as he beamed at his mother. He felt Gia’s arm wrap around his shoulders and looked over at her. “Thank you.” He whispered as he leaned in and kissed her. “Gia, why don’t you sing us a song?” Lucky suggested. Gia looked up at him in shock. “Oh I don’t know.” She said softly. “Come on Laura would love it.” Luke agreed. Gia smiled at them. “OK fine I’ll sing.” Gia said getting up. She walked over to a chair that Lucky brought out for her and sat down next to Laura. She began to sing the words to God Bless The Child as they all listened to her beautiful voice. Laura listened to her with tears streaming down her face. Gia took her hand as she finished the song and everyone in the room cheered when she stopped. “Thank you Gia, I’m sleepless, that was amazing.” Laura said as she pulled Gia in for a hug. Gia smiled as she pulled back, she turned around and looked at the couch where Nikolas was and saw that he wasn’t there. Her eyes scanned the room and she didn’t see him anywhere.